In our annual 32 picks in 32 days CSNPhilly.com mock draft, we select one player each day until the start of the NFL draft on April 26.
29. Ravens: Shea McClellin, DE, Boise State, 6-3260
The heart and soul of the Baltimore Ravens is without question ILB Ray Lewis. The leader of the defense will turn 37 next month, and while he continues to play at a high level, and there are few players who keep themselves in better shape, Lewis' days as an elite player are numbered.
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The Ravens' best pass rusher, Terrell Suggs, will also enter his 30s this season. Like Lewis, Suggs is still playing well, but time is never kind to players in the NFL. So even though Baltimore is set with both Lewis and Suggs for the immediate future, getting younger at both or either spots is going to be a necessity sooner rather than later.
Shea McClellin may solve the depth issue at both positions in the short-term. McClellin played both end and stand up pass rusher at Boise State. I can see the Ravens using McClellin not only on the outside, but also shifting inside to help get pressure up the middle. He has the size (6-3260) to bang in the middle against the run, and has experience playing all over the Broncos' front seven. And while he may be best suited as a 4-3 end in the pros, his versatility and ability to make plays behind the line of scrimmage are too tempting to pass on.
The 2011 All-Mountain West Conference performer recorded 20.5 sacks and 33 tackles-for-loss over his college career. McClellin is a high-motor guy who diagnoses plays quickly and uses excellent body control to pursue. He's not a pure athlete like last year's No. pick Von Miller, but his foot quickness and strength help make up for that.
McClellin's stock is definitely on the rise with strong combine and pro day workouts. His passion, production, and versatility make him an ideal pick for a Ravens team long on experience but short on depth.
Jared Sherman has been providing CSNPhilly.com with draft analysis since 2000. E-mail him at feedback@firedforwinning.com and follow him on Twitter @Phillyjared.